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Niceforo A, Zholudeva LV, Fernandes S, Lane MA, Qiang L. Challenges and Efficacy of Astrocyte-to-Neuron Reprogramming in Spinal Cord Injury: In Vitro Insights and In Vivo Outcomes. bioRxiv 2024:2024.03.25.586619. [PMID: 38585866 PMCID: PMC10996511 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.25.586619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to the disruption of neural pathways, causing loss of neural cells, with subsequent reactive gliosis and tissue scarring that limit endogenous repair. One potential therapeutic strategy to address this is to target reactive scar-forming astrocytes with direct cellular reprogramming to convert them into neurons, by overexpression of neurogenic transcription factors. Here we used lentiviral constructs to overexpress Ascl1 or a combination of microRNAs (miRs) miR124, miR9/9*and NeuroD1 transfected into cultured and in vivo astrocytes. In vitro experiments revealed cortically-derived astrocytes display a higher efficiency (70%) of reprogramming to neurons than spinal cord-derived astrocytes. In a rat cervical SCI model, the same strategy induced only limited reprogramming of astrocytes. Delivery of reprogramming factors did not significantly affect patterns of breathing under baseline and hypoxic conditions, but significant differences in average diaphragm amplitude were seen in the reprogrammed groups during eupneic breathing, hypoxic, and hypercapnic challenges. These results show that while cellular reprogramming can be readily achieved in carefully controlled in vitro conditions, achieving a similar degree of successful reprogramming in vivo is challenging and may require additional steps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Niceforo
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19129, USA
- Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19129, USA
| | | | - Silvia Fernandes
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19129, USA
- Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19129, USA
| | - Michael A. Lane
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19129, USA
- Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19129, USA
| | - Liang Qiang
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19129, USA
- Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19129, USA
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2
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Zholudeva LV, Fortino T, Agrawal A, Vila OF, Williams M, McDevitt T, Lane MA, Srivastava D. Human spinal interneurons repair the injured spinal cord through synaptic integration. bioRxiv 2024:2024.01.11.575264. [PMID: 38260390 PMCID: PMC10802598 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.11.575264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Advances in cell therapy offer promise for some of the most devastating neural injuries, including spinal cord injury (SCI). Endogenous VSX2-expressing spinal V2a interneurons have been implicated as a key component in plasticity and therapeutically driven recovery post-SCI. While transplantation of generic V2a neurons may have therapeutic value, generation of human spinal V2a neurons with rostro-caudal specificity and assessment of their functional synaptic integration with the injured spinal cord has been elusive. Here, we efficiently differentiated optogenetically engineered cervical V2a spinal interneurons (SpINs) from human induced pluripotent stem cells and tested their capacity to form functional synapses with injured diaphragm motor networks in a clinically-relevant sub-acute model of cervical contusion injury. Neuroanatomical tracing and immunohistochemistry demonstrated transplant integration and synaptic connectivity with injured host tissue. Optogenetic activation of transplanted human V2a SpINs revealed functional synaptic connectivity to injured host circuits, culminating in improved diaphragm activity assessed by electromyography. Furthermore, optogenetic activation of host supraspinal pathways revealed functional innervation of transplanted cells by host neurons, which also led to enhanced diaphragm contraction indicative of a functional neuronal relay. Single cell analyses pre- and post-transplantation suggested the in vivo environment resulted in maturation of cervical SpINs that mediate the formation of neuronal relays, as well as differentiation of glial progenitors involved in repair of the damaged spinal cord. This study rigorously demonstrates feasibility of generating human cervical spinal V2a interneurons that develop functional host-transplant and transplant-host connectivity resulting in improved muscle activity post-SCI.
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3
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Locke KC, Randelman ML, Hoh DJ, Zholudeva LV, Lane MA. Respiratory plasticity following spinal cord injury: perspectives from mouse to man. Neural Regen Res 2022; 17:2141-2148. [PMID: 35259820 PMCID: PMC9083159 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.335839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of respiratory plasticity in animal models spans decades. At the bench, researchers use an array of techniques aimed at harnessing the power of plasticity within the central nervous system to restore respiration following spinal cord injury. This field of research is highly clinically relevant. People living with cervical spinal cord injury at or above the level of the phrenic motoneuron pool at spinal levels C3-C5 typically have significant impairments in breathing which may require assisted ventilation. Those who are ventilator dependent are at an increased risk of ventilator-associated co-morbidities and have a drastically reduced life expectancy. Pre-clinical research examining respiratory plasticity in animal models has laid the groundwork for clinical trials. Despite how widely researched this injury is in animal models, relatively few treatments have broken through the preclinical barrier. The three goals of this present review are to define plasticity as it pertains to respiratory function post-spinal cord injury, discuss plasticity models of spinal cord injury used in research, and explore the shift from preclinical to clinical research. By investigating current targets of respiratory plasticity research, we hope to illuminate preclinical work that can influence future clinical investigations and the advancement of treatments for spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine C. Locke
- Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Margo L. Randelman
- Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Daniel J. Hoh
- Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Lyandysha V. Zholudeva
- Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Cardiovascular Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Michael A. Lane
- Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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4
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Elder N, Fattahi F, McDevitt TC, Zholudeva LV. Diseased, differentiated and difficult: Strategies for improved engineering of in vitro neurological systems. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:962103. [PMID: 36238834 PMCID: PMC9550918 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.962103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapidly growing field of cellular engineering is enabling scientists to more effectively create in vitro models of disease and develop specific cell types that can be used to repair damaged tissue. In particular, the engineering of neurons and other components of the nervous system is at the forefront of this field. The methods used to engineer neural cells can be largely divided into systems that undergo directed differentiation through exogenous stimulation (i.e., via small molecules, arguably following developmental pathways) and those that undergo induced differentiation via protein overexpression (i.e., genetically induced and activated; arguably bypassing developmental pathways). Here, we highlight the differences between directed differentiation and induced differentiation strategies, how they can complement one another to generate specific cell phenotypes, and impacts of each strategy on downstream applications. Continued research in this nascent field will lead to the development of improved models of neurological circuits and novel treatments for those living with neurological injury and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Elder
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Faranak Fattahi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Todd C. McDevitt
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Sana Biotechnology, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Lyandysha V. Zholudeva
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Lyandysha V. Zholudeva,
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5
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Zholudeva LV, Lane MA. Harnessing Spinal Interneurons for Spinal Cord Repair. Neurosci Insights 2022; 17:26331055221101607. [PMID: 35615115 PMCID: PMC9125099 DOI: 10.1177/26331055221101607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Interest in spinal interneurons (SpINs), their heterogeneity in the naive spinal cord and their varying responses to central nervous system injury or disease has been steadily increasing. Our recent review on this topic highlights the vast phenotypic heterogeneity of SpINs and the efforts being made to better identify and classify these neurons. As our understanding of SpIN phenotype, connectivity, and neuroplastic capacity continues to expand, new therapeutic targets are being revealed and novel treatment approaches developed to harness their potential. Here, we expand on that initial discussion and highlight how SpINs can be used to develop advanced, targeted cellular therapies and personalized medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyandysha V Zholudeva
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael A Lane
- Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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6
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Schardien KA, Randelman ML, Fortino TA, Wilkinson T, Capello T, Cusimano MA, Hall AA, Zholudeva LV, Bezdudnaya T, Lane MA. Locomotor Training Enhances Respiratory Plasticity in a Pre‐clinical Model of Cervical Spinal Cord Injury. FASEB J 2022. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.s1.l7997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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7
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Niceforo A, Fortino T, Shah Y, Zholudeva LV, Qiang L, Lane MA. Astrocyte‐to‐neuron reprogramming for spinal cord repair. FASEB J 2022. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.s1.l7570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tara Fortino
- Neurobiology & AnatomyDrexel UniversityPhiladelphiaPA
| | - Yashvi Shah
- Neurobiology & AnatomyDrexel UniversityPhiladelphiaPA
| | | | - Liang Qiang
- Neurobiology & AnatomyDrexel UniversityPhiladelphiaPA
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8
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Fortino TA, Randelman ML, Hall AA, Singh J, Bloom DC, Engel E, Hoh DJ, Hou S, Zholudeva LV, Lane MA. Transneuronal tracing to map connectivity in injured and transplanted spinal networks. Exp Neurol 2022; 351:113990. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.113990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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9
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Randelman M, Zholudeva LV, Vinit S, Lane MA. Respiratory Training and Plasticity After Cervical Spinal Cord Injury. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:700821. [PMID: 34621156 PMCID: PMC8490715 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.700821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
While spinal cord injuries (SCIs) result in a vast array of functional deficits, many of which are life threatening, the majority of SCIs are anatomically incomplete. Spared neural pathways contribute to functional and anatomical neuroplasticity that can occur spontaneously, or can be harnessed using rehabilitative, electrophysiological, or pharmacological strategies. With a focus on respiratory networks that are affected by cervical level SCI, the present review summarizes how non-invasive respiratory treatments can be used to harness this neuroplastic potential and enhance long-term recovery. Specific attention is given to "respiratory training" strategies currently used clinically (e.g., strength training) and those being developed through pre-clinical and early clinical testing [e.g., intermittent chemical stimulation via altering inhaled oxygen (hypoxia) or carbon dioxide stimulation]. Consideration is also given to the effect of training on non-respiratory (e.g., locomotor) networks. This review highlights advances in this area of pre-clinical and translational research, with insight into future directions for enhancing plasticity and improving functional outcomes after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margo Randelman
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Lyandysha V Zholudeva
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Stéphane Vinit
- INSERM, END-ICAP, Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Versailles, France
| | - Michael A Lane
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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10
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Feliciano CM, Wu K, Watry HL, Marley CBE, Ramadoss GN, Ghanim HY, Liu AZ, Zholudeva LV, McDevitt TC, Saporta MA, Conklin BR, Judge LM. Allele-Specific Gene Editing Rescues Pathology in a Human Model of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 2E. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:723023. [PMID: 34485306 PMCID: PMC8415563 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.723023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Many neuromuscular disorders are caused by dominant missense mutations that lead to dominant-negative or gain-of-function pathology. This category of disease is challenging to address via drug treatment or gene augmentation therapy because these strategies may not eliminate the effects of the mutant protein or RNA. Thus, effective treatments are severely lacking for these dominant diseases, which often cause severe disability or death. The targeted inactivation of dominant disease alleles by gene editing is a promising approach with the potential to completely remove the cause of pathology with a single treatment. Here, we demonstrate that allele-specific CRISPR gene editing in a human model of axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease rescues pathology caused by a dominant missense mutation in the neurofilament light chain gene (NEFL, CMT type 2E). We utilized a rapid and efficient method for generating spinal motor neurons from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from a patient with CMT2E. Diseased motor neurons recapitulated known pathologic phenotypes at early time points of differentiation, including aberrant accumulation of neurofilament light chain protein in neuronal cell bodies. We selectively inactivated the disease NEFL allele in patient iPSCs using Cas9 enzymes to introduce a frameshift at the pathogenic N98S mutation. Motor neurons carrying this allele-specific frameshift demonstrated an amelioration of the disease phenotype comparable to that seen in an isogenic control with precise correction of the mutation. Our results validate allele-specific gene editing as a therapeutic approach for CMT2E and as a promising strategy to silence dominant mutations in any gene for which heterozygous loss-of-function is well tolerated. This highlights the potential for gene editing as a therapy for currently untreatable dominant neurologic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carissa M. Feliciano
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Kenneth Wu
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | | | - Chiara B. E. Marley
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Gokul N. Ramadoss
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | | | - Angela Z. Liu
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | | | - Todd C. McDevitt
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Mario A. Saporta
- Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Bruce R. Conklin
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Luke M. Judge
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, United States
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11
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Zholudeva LV, Jin Y, Qiang L, Lane MA, Fischer I. Preparation of Neural Stem Cells and Progenitors: Neuronal Production and Grafting Applications. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2311:73-108. [PMID: 34033079 PMCID: PMC10074836 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1437-2_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) are a valuable tool for the study of neural development and function as well as an important source of cell transplantation strategies for neural disease. NSCs can be used to study how neurons acquire distinct phenotypes and how the interactions between neurons and glial cells in the developing nervous system shape the structure and function of the CNS. NSCs can also be used for cell replacement therapies following CNS injury targeting astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and neurons. With the availability of patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), neurons prepared from NSCs can be used to elucidate the molecular basis of neurological disorders leading to potential treatments. Although NSCs can be derived from different species and many sources, including embryonic stem cells (ESCs), iPSCs, adult CNS, and direct reprogramming of nonneural cells, isolating primary NSCs directly from fetal tissue is still the most common technique for preparation and study of neurons. Regardless of the source of tissue, similar techniques are used to maintain NSCs in culture and to differentiate NSCs toward mature neural lineages. This chapter will describe specific methods for isolating and characterizing multipotent NSCs and neural precursor cells (NPCs) from embryonic rat CNS tissue (mostly spinal cord) and from human ESCs and iPSCs as well as NPCs prepared by reprogramming. NPCs can be separated into neuronal and glial restricted progenitors (NRP and GRP, respectively) and used to reliably produce neurons or glial cells both in vitro and following transplantation into the adult CNS. This chapter will describe in detail the methods required for the isolation, propagation, storage, and differentiation of NSCs and NPCs isolated from rat and mouse spinal cords for subsequent in vitro or in vivo studies as well as new methods associated with ESCs, iPSCs, and reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyandysha V Zholudeva
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ying Jin
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Liang Qiang
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael A Lane
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Itzhak Fischer
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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12
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Vila OF, Chavez M, Ma SP, Yeager K, Zholudeva LV, Colón-Mercado JM, Qu Y, Nash TR, Lai C, Feliciano CM, Carter M, Kamm RD, Judge LM, Conklin BR, Ward ME, McDevitt TC, Vunjak-Novakovic G. Bioengineered optogenetic model of human neuromuscular junction. Biomaterials 2021; 276:121033. [PMID: 34403849 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.121033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Functional human tissues engineered from patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) hold great promise for investigating the progression, mechanisms, and treatment of musculoskeletal diseases in a controlled and systematic manner. For example, bioengineered models of innervated human skeletal muscle could be used to identify novel therapeutic targets and treatments for patients with complex central and peripheral nervous system disorders. There is a need to develop standardized and objective quantitative methods for engineering and using these complex tissues, in order increase their robustness, reproducibility, and predictiveness across users. Here we describe a standardized method for engineering an isogenic, patient specific human neuromuscular junction (NMJ) that allows for automated quantification of NMJ function to diagnose disease using a small sample of blood serum and evaluate new therapeutic modalities. By combining tissue engineering, optogenetics, microfabrication, optoelectronics and video processing, we created a novel platform for the precise investigation of the development and degeneration of human NMJ. We demonstrate the utility of this platform for the detection and diagnosis of myasthenia gravis, an antibody-mediated autoimmune disease that disrupts the NMJ function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olaia F Vila
- Columbia University, 622 W 168th St, New York, NY, 10032, USA; Gladstone Institutes, 1650 Owens St, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
| | - Miguel Chavez
- Columbia University, 622 W 168th St, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Stephen P Ma
- Columbia University, 622 W 168th St, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Keith Yeager
- Columbia University, 622 W 168th St, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | | | | | - Yihuai Qu
- Columbia University, 622 W 168th St, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Trevor R Nash
- Columbia University, 622 W 168th St, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Carmen Lai
- Gladstone Institutes, 1650 Owens St, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Carissa M Feliciano
- Gladstone Institutes, 1650 Owens St, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA; Department of Pediatrics, UCSF, 550 16th St, Floor 5, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Matthew Carter
- Gladstone Institutes, 1650 Owens St, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Roger D Kamm
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge MA, 02139, USA
| | - Luke M Judge
- Gladstone Institutes, 1650 Owens St, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA; Department of Pediatrics, UCSF, 550 16th St, Floor 5, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Bruce R Conklin
- Gladstone Institutes, 1650 Owens St, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Michael E Ward
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Todd C McDevitt
- Gladstone Institutes, 1650 Owens St, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
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13
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Zholudeva LV, Abraira VE, Satkunendrarajah K, McDevitt TC, Goulding MD, Magnuson DSK, Lane MA. Spinal Interneurons as Gatekeepers to Neuroplasticity after Injury or Disease. J Neurosci 2021; 41:845-854. [PMID: 33472820 PMCID: PMC7880285 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1654-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal interneurons are important facilitators and modulators of motor, sensory, and autonomic functions in the intact CNS. This heterogeneous population of neurons is now widely appreciated to be a key component of plasticity and recovery. This review highlights our current understanding of spinal interneuron heterogeneity, their contribution to control and modulation of motor and sensory functions, and how this role might change after traumatic spinal cord injury. We also offer a perspective for how treatments can optimize the contribution of interneurons to functional improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Victoria E Abraira
- Department of Cell Biology & Neuroscience, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey, 08854
| | - Kajana Satkunendrarajah
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Wisconsin, 53226
- Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53295
| | - Todd C McDevitt
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, California, 94158
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California, 94143
| | | | - David S K Magnuson
- University of Louisville, Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Louisville, Kentucky, 40208
| | - Michael A Lane
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, and the Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19129
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14
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Qiang L, Piermarini E, Muralidharan H, Yu W, Leo L, Hennessy LE, Fernandes S, Connors T, Yates PL, Swift M, Zholudeva LV, Lane MA, Morfini G, Alexander GM, Heiman-Patterson TD, Baas PW. Hereditary spastic paraplegia: gain-of-function mechanisms revealed by new transgenic mouse. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:1136-1152. [PMID: 30520996 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 12/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations of the SPAST gene, which encodes the microtubule-severing protein spastin, are the most common cause of hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP). Haploinsufficiency is the prevalent opinion as to the mechanism of the disease, but gain-of-function toxicity of the mutant proteins is another possibility. Here, we report a new transgenic mouse (termed SPASTC448Y mouse) that is not haploinsufficient but expresses human spastin bearing the HSP pathogenic C448Y mutation. Expression of the mutant spastin was documented from fetus to adult, but gait defects reminiscent of HSP (not observed in spastin knockout mice) were adult onset, as is typical of human patients. Results of histological and tracer studies on the mouse are consistent with progressive dying back of corticospinal axons, which is characteristic of the disease. The C448Y-mutated spastin alters microtubule stability in a manner that is opposite to the expectations of haploinsufficiency. Neurons cultured from the mouse display deficits in organelle transport typical of axonal degenerative diseases, and these deficits were worsened by depletion of endogenous mouse spastin. These results on the SPASTC448Y mouse are consistent with a gain-of-function mechanism underlying HSP, with spastin haploinsufficiency exacerbating the toxicity of the mutant spastin proteins. These findings reveal the need for a different therapeutic approach than indicated by haploinsufficiency alone.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Laura E Hennessy
- Department of Neurology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gerardo Morfini
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Guillermo M Alexander
- Department of Neurology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Terry D Heiman-Patterson
- Department of Neurology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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15
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Vinit S, Michel‐Flutot P, Zholudeva LV, Randelman ML, Mansart A, Deramaudt TB, Lane MA, Petitjean M, Bonay M. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) Elicits Long Lasting Phrenic Motoneuron Excitability Increase in the Rat: Possible Treatment for Respiratory Insufficiency? FASEB J 2019. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.2019.33.1_supplement.843.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Vinit
- U1179 INSERMUniversité de Versailles Saint Quentin en YvelinesMontigny le bretonneuxFrance
| | - Pauline Michel‐Flutot
- U1179 INSERMUniversité de Versailles Saint Quentin en YvelinesMontigny le bretonneuxFrance
| | | | | | - Arnaud Mansart
- U1173 INSERMUniversité de Versailles Saint Quentin en YvelinesMontigny le bretonneuxFrance
| | - Thérèse B Deramaudt
- U1179 INSERMUniversité de Versailles Saint Quentin en YvelinesMontigny le bretonneuxFrance
| | | | - Michel Petitjean
- Service d'Explorations Fonctionnelles Multidisciplinaires bi‐siteHôpital Antoine Béclère, Groupe Hospitalier Paris‐SudClamartFrance
- CIAMSUniv. Paris‐Sud, Université Paris‐SaclayOrsayFrance
- CIAMSUniversité d'OrléansOrléansFrance
| | - Marcel Bonay
- U1179 INSERMUniversité de Versailles Saint Quentin en YvelinesMontigny le bretonneuxFrance
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Abstract
Cellular transplantation for repair of the injured spinal cord has a rich history with strategies focused on neuroprotection, immunomodulation, and neural reconstruction. The goal of the present review is to provide a concise overview and discussion of five key themes that have become important considerations for rebuilding functional neural networks. The questions raised include: (i) who are the donor cells selected for transplantation, (ii) what is the intended target for repair, (iii) when is the optimal time for transplantation, (iv) where should the cells be delivered, and lastly (v) why does cell transplantation remain an attractive candidate for promoting neural repair after injury? Recent developments in neurobiology and engineering now enable us to start addressing these questions with multidisciplinary expertise and methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyandysha V Zholudeva
- 1 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,2 The Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael A Lane
- 1 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,2 The Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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17
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Zholudeva LV, Lane MA. Choosing the right cell for spinal cord repair. J Neurosci Res 2018; 97:109-111. [PMID: 30383302 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lyandysha V Zholudeva
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,The Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael A Lane
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,The Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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18
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Zholudeva LV, Iyer N, Qiang L, Spruance VM, Randelman ML, White NW, Bezdudnaya T, Fischer I, Sakiyama-Elbert SE, Lane MA. Transplantation of Neural Progenitors and V2a Interneurons after Spinal Cord Injury. J Neurotrauma 2018; 35:2883-2903. [PMID: 29873284 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2017.5439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing interest in the use of neural precursor cells to treat spinal cord injury (SCI). Despite extensive pre-clinical research, it remains unclear as to which donor neuron phenotypes are available for transplantation, whether the same populations exist across different sources of donor tissue (e.g., developing tissue vs. cultured cells), and whether donor cells retain their phenotype once transplanted into the hostile internal milieu of the injured adult spinal cord. In addition, while functional improvements have been reported after neural precursor transplantation post-SCI, the extent of recovery is limited and variable. The present work begins to address these issues by harnessing ventrally derived excitatory pre-motor V2a spinal interneurons (SpINs) to repair the phrenic motor circuit after cervical SCI. Recent studies have demonstrated that Chx10-positive V2a SpINs contribute to anatomical plasticity within the phrenic circuitry after cervical SCI, thus identifying them as a therapeutic candidate. Building upon this discovery, the present work tests the hypothesis that transplantation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) enriched with V2a INs can contribute to neural networks that promote repair and enhance respiratory plasticity after cervical SCI. Cultured NPCs (neuronal and glial restricted progenitor cells) isolated from E13.5 Green fluorescent protein rats were aggregated with TdTomato-mouse embryonic stem cell-derived V2a INs in vitro, then transplanted into the injured cervical (C3-4) spinal cord. Donor cells survive, differentiate and integrate with the host spinal cord. Functional diaphragm electromyography indicated recovery 1 month following treatment in transplant recipients. Animals that received donor cells enriched with V2a INs showed significantly greater functional improvement than animals that received NPCs alone. The results from this study offer insight into the neuronal phenotypes that might be effective for (re)establishing neuronal circuits in the injured adult central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyandysha V Zholudeva
- 1 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,2 Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Nisha Iyer
- 3 Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Liang Qiang
- 1 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,2 Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Victoria M Spruance
- 1 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,2 Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Margo L Randelman
- 1 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,2 Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Nicholas W White
- 4 Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas, Austin, Texas
| | - Tatiana Bezdudnaya
- 1 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,2 Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Itzhak Fischer
- 1 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,2 Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Michael A Lane
- 1 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,2 Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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19
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Spruance VM, Zholudeva LV, Hormigo KM, Randelman ML, Bezdudnaya T, Marchenko V, Lane MA. Integration of Transplanted Neural Precursors with the Injured Cervical Spinal Cord. J Neurotrauma 2018; 35:1781-1799. [PMID: 29295654 PMCID: PMC6033309 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2017.5451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical spinal cord injuries (SCI) result in devastating functional consequences, including respiratory dysfunction. This is largely attributed to the disruption of phrenic pathways, which control the diaphragm. Recent work has identified spinal interneurons as possible contributors to respiratory neuroplasticity. The present work investigated whether transplantation of developing spinal cord tissue, inherently rich in interneuronal progenitors, could provide a population of new neurons and growth-permissive substrate to facilitate plasticity and formation of novel relay circuits to restore input to the partially denervated phrenic motor circuit. One week after a lateralized, C3/4 contusion injury, adult Sprague-Dawley rats received allografts of dissociated, developing spinal cord tissue (from rats at gestational days 13-14). Neuroanatomical tracing and terminal electrophysiology was performed on the graft recipients 1 month later. Experiments using pseudorabies virus (a retrograde, transynaptic tracer) revealed connections from donor neurons onto host phrenic circuitry and from host, cervical interneurons onto donor neurons. Anatomical characterization of donor neurons revealed phenotypic heterogeneity, though donor-host connectivity appeared selective. Despite the consistent presence of cholinergic interneurons within donor tissue, transneuronal tracing revealed minimal connectivity with host phrenic circuitry. Phrenic nerve recordings revealed changes in burst amplitude after application of a glutamatergic, but not serotonergic antagonist to the transplant, suggesting a degree of functional connectivity between donor neurons and host phrenic circuitry that is regulated by glutamatergic input. Importantly, however, anatomical and functional results were variable across animals, and future studies will explore ways to refine donor cell populations and entrain consistent connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria M Spruance
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Lyandysha V Zholudeva
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kristiina M Hormigo
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Margo L Randelman
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Tatiana Bezdudnaya
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Vitaliy Marchenko
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael A Lane
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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20
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Zholudeva LV, Karliner JS, Dougherty KJ, Lane MA. Anatomical Recruitment of Spinal V2a Interneurons into Phrenic Motor Circuitry after High Cervical Spinal Cord Injury. J Neurotrauma 2017; 34:3058-3065. [PMID: 28548606 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2017.5045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
More than half of all spinal cord injuries (SCIs) occur at the cervical level, often resulting in impaired respiration. Despite this devastating outcome, there is substantial evidence for endogenous neuroplasticity after cervical SCI. Spinal interneurons are widely recognized as being an essential anatomical component of this plasticity by contributing to novel neuronal pathways that can result in functional improvement. The identity of spinal interneurons involved with respiratory plasticity post-SCI, however, has remained largely unknown. Using a transgenic Chx10-eGFP mouse line (Strain 011391-UCD), the present study is the first to demonstrate the recruitment of excitatory interneurons into injured phrenic circuitry after a high cervical SCI. Diaphragm electromyography and anatomical analysis were used to confirm lesion-induced functional deficits and document extent of the lesion, respectively. Transneuronal tracing with pseudorabies virus (PRV) was used to identify interneurons within the phrenic circuitry. There was a robust increase in the number of PRV-labeled V2a interneurons ipsilateral to the C2 hemisection, demonstrating that significant numbers of these excitatory spinal interneurons were anatomically recruited into the phrenic motor pathway two weeks after injury, a time known to correspond with functional phrenic plasticity. Understanding this anatomical spinal plasticity and the neural substrates associated with functional compensation or recovery post-SCI in a controlled, experimental setting may help shed light onto possible cellular therapeutic candidates that can be targeted to enhance spontaneous recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyandysha V Zholudeva
- 1 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,2 The Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jordyn S Karliner
- 1 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,2 The Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,3 Department of Neuroscience, Ursinus College , Collegeville, Pennsylvania
| | - Kimberly J Dougherty
- 1 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,2 The Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael A Lane
- 1 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,2 The Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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21
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Bezdudnaya T, Marchenko V, Zholudeva LV, Spruance VM, Lane MA. Supraspinal respiratory plasticity following acute cervical spinal cord injury. Exp Neurol 2017; 293:181-189. [PMID: 28433644 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2017.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Impaired breathing is a devastating result of high cervical spinal cord injuries (SCI) due to partial or full denervation of phrenic motoneurons, which innervate the diaphragm - a primary muscle of respiration. Consequently, people with cervical level injuries often become dependent on assisted ventilation and are susceptible to secondary complications. However, there is mounting evidence for limited spontaneous recovery of respiratory function following injury, demonstrating the neuroplastic potential of respiratory networks. Although many studies have shown such plasticity at the level of the spinal cord, much less is known about the changes occurring at supraspinal levels post-SCI. The goal of this study was to determine functional reorganization of respiratory neurons in the medulla acutely (>4h) following high cervical SCI. Experiments were conducted in decerebrate, unanesthetized, vagus intact and artificially ventilated rats. In this preparation, spontaneous recovery of ipsilateral phrenic nerve activity was observed within 4 to 6h following an incomplete, C2 hemisection (C2Hx). Electrophysiological mapping of the ventrolateral medulla showed a reorganization of inspiratory and expiratory sites ipsilateral to injury. These changes included i) decreased respiratory activity within the caudal ventral respiratory group (cVRG; location of bulbospinal expiratory neurons); ii) increased proportion of expiratory phase activity within the rostral ventral respiratory group (rVRG; location of inspiratory bulbo-spinal neurons); iii) increased respiratory activity within ventral reticular nuclei, including lateral reticular (LRN) and paragigantocellular (LPGi) nuclei. We conclude that disruption of descending and ascending connections between the medulla and spinal cord leads to immediate functional reorganization within the supraspinal respiratory network, including neurons within the ventral respiratory column and adjacent reticular nuclei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Bezdudnaya
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900 W Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA
| | - Vitaliy Marchenko
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900 W Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA
| | - Lyandysha V Zholudeva
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900 W Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA
| | - Victoria M Spruance
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900 W Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA
| | - Michael A Lane
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900 W Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA.
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22
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Hormigo KM, Zholudeva LV, Spruance VM, Marchenko V, Cote MP, Vinit S, Giszter S, Bezdudnaya T, Lane MA. Enhancing neural activity to drive respiratory plasticity following cervical spinal cord injury. Exp Neurol 2017; 287:276-287. [PMID: 27582085 PMCID: PMC5121051 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Revised: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) results in permanent life-altering sensorimotor deficits, among which impaired breathing is one of the most devastating and life-threatening. While clinical and experimental research has revealed that some spontaneous respiratory improvement (functional plasticity) can occur post-SCI, the extent of the recovery is limited and significant deficits persist. Thus, increasing effort is being made to develop therapies that harness and enhance this neuroplastic potential to optimize long-term recovery of breathing in injured individuals. One strategy with demonstrated therapeutic potential is the use of treatments that increase neural and muscular activity (e.g. locomotor training, neural and muscular stimulation) and promote plasticity. With a focus on respiratory function post-SCI, this review will discuss advances in the use of neural interfacing strategies and activity-based treatments, and highlights some recent results from our own research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristiina M Hormigo
- Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900 W Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lyandysha V Zholudeva
- Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900 W Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Victoria M Spruance
- Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900 W Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Vitaliy Marchenko
- Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900 W Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marie-Pascale Cote
- Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900 W Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Stephane Vinit
- Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, INSERM U1179 End:icap, UFR des Sciences de la Santé - Simone Veil, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | - Simon Giszter
- Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900 W Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tatiana Bezdudnaya
- Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900 W Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael A Lane
- Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900 W Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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23
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Nair J, Bezdudnaya T, Zholudeva LV, Detloff MR, Reier PJ, Lane MA, Fuller DD. Histological identification of phrenic afferent projections to the spinal cord. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2016; 236:57-68. [PMID: 27838334 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2016.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Revised: 10/08/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Limited data are available regarding the spinal projections of afferent fibers in the phrenic nerve. We describe a method that robustly labels phrenic afferent spinal projections in adult rats. The proximal end of the cut phrenic nerve was secured in a microtube filled with a transganglionic tracer (cholera toxin β-subunit, CT-β, or Cascade Blue) and tissues harvested 96-h later. Robust CT-β labeling occurred in C3-C5 dorsal root ganglia cell bodies and phrenic afferent projections were identified in the mid-cervical dorsal horn (laminae I-III), intermediate grey matter (laminae IV, VII) and near the central canal (laminae X). Afferent fiber labeling was reduced or absent when CT-β was delivered to the intrapleural space or directly to the hemidiaphragm. Soaking the phrenic nerve with Cascade Blue also produced robust labeling of mid-cervical dorsal root ganglia cells bodies, and primary afferent fibers were observed in spinal grey matter and dorsal white matter. Our results show that the 'nerve soak' method effectively labels both phrenic motoneurons and phrenic afferent projections, and show that primary afferents project throughout the ipsilateral mid-cervical gray matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayakrishnan Nair
- University of Florida, College of Public Health and Health Professions, McKnight Brain Institute, Department of Physical Therapy, PO Box 100154, 100 S. Newell Dr, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States; Center for Respiratory Research and Rehabilitation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States
| | - Tatiana Bezdudnaya
- Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900, W. Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19129, United States
| | - Lyandysha V Zholudeva
- Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900, W. Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19129, United States
| | - Megan R Detloff
- Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900, W. Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19129, United States
| | - Paul J Reier
- University of Florida, College of Medicine, McKnight Brain Institute, Department of Neuroscience, PO Box 100244, 100 S. Newell Dr, Gainesville FL 32610, United States; Center for Respiratory Research and Rehabilitation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States
| | - Michael A Lane
- Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900, W. Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19129, United States.
| | - David D Fuller
- University of Florida, College of Public Health and Health Professions, McKnight Brain Institute, Department of Physical Therapy, PO Box 100154, 100 S. Newell Dr, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States; Center for Respiratory Research and Rehabilitation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States.
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Zholudeva LV, Ward KG, Nichols MG, Smith HJ. Gentamicin differentially alters cellular metabolism of cochlear hair cells as revealed by NAD(P)H fluorescence lifetime imaging. J Biomed Opt 2015; 20:051032. [PMID: 25688541 PMCID: PMC4405084 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.20.5.051032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Aminoglycoside antibiotics are implicated as culprits of hearing loss in more than 120,000 individuals annually. Research has shown that the sensory cells, but not supporting cells, of the cochlea are readily damaged and/or lost after use of such antibiotics. High-frequency outer hair cells (OHCs) show a greater sensitivity to antibiotics than high- and low-frequency inner hair cells (IHCs). We hypothesize that variations in mitochondrial metabolism account for differences in susceptibility. Fluorescence lifetime microscopy was used to quantify changes in NAD(P)H in sensory and supporting cells from explanted murine cochleae exposed to mitochondrial uncouplers, inhibitors, and an ototoxic antibiotic, gentamicin (GM). Changes in metabolic state resulted in a redistribution of NAD(P)H between subcellular fluorescence lifetime pools. Supporting cells had a significantly longer lifetime than sensory cells. Pretreatment with GM increased NAD(P)H intensity in high-frequency sensory cells, as well as the NAD(P)H lifetime within IHCs. GM specifically increased NAD(P)H concentration in high-frequency OHCs, but not in IHCs or pillar cells. Variations in NAD(P)H intensity in response to mitochondrial toxins and GM were greatest in high-frequency OHCs. These results demonstrate that GM rapidly alters mitochondrial metabolism, differentially modulates cell metabolism, and provides evidence that GM-induced changes in metabolism are significant and greatest in high-frequency OHCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyandysha V. Zholudeva
- Drexel University, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, 2900 West Queen Lane, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19129, United States
| | - Kristina G. Ward
- Creighton University, Department of Physics, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68178, United States
| | - Michael G. Nichols
- Creighton University, Department of Physics, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68178, United States
- Creighton University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68178, United States
| | - Heather Jensen Smith
- Creighton University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68178, United States
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Nichols MG, Zholudeva LV, Lehnerz MJ, Desa DE, Meyer CT. Metabolic Profiling of Multicell Tumor Spheroids by NADH Fluorescence and Spatially-Resolved Oximetry. Biophys J 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2012.11.1691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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26
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Vergen J, Hecht C, Zholudeva LV, Marquardt MM, Hallworth R, Nichols MG. Metabolic imaging using two-photon excited NADH intensity and fluorescence lifetime imaging. Microsc Microanal 2012; 18:761-70. [PMID: 22832200 PMCID: PMC3842212 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927612000529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction are known to be involved in many different disease states. We have employed two-photon fluorescence imaging of intrinsic mitochondrial reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) to quantify the metabolic state of several cultured cell lines, multicell tumor spheroids, and the intact mouse organ of Corti. Historically, fluorescence intensity has commonly been used as an indicator of the NADH concentration in cells and tissues. More recently, fluorescence lifetime imaging has revealed that changes in metabolism produce not only changes in fluorescence intensity, but also significant changes in the lifetimes and concentrations of free and enzyme-bound pools of NADH. Since NADH binding changes with metabolic state, this approach presents a new opportunity to track the cellular metabolic state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Vergen
- Department of Physics, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178
| | - Clifford Hecht
- Department of Physics, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178
| | | | - Meg M. Marquardt
- Department of Physics, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178
| | - Richard Hallworth
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178
| | - Michael G. Nichols
- Department of Physics, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178
- Corresponding Author: Phone: 402.280.2159; FAX: 402.280.2140;
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